Disney's 'Zootopia' secrets: 10 fun facts you may not know

From the largest elephant to the smallest shrew, animals live happily together in Disney's "Zootopia." This animal metropolis features different neighborhoods, such as the ritzy Sahara Square and the frigid Tundratown.

There are 64 species in 'Zootopia'

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There are 64 unique species in "Zootopia" and most species are unique in topology: Elephants have trunks, pigs have snouts; some animals have hooves, some have paws; some have three fingers, some have two.

All fur is not created equal

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Disney filmmakers researched a variety of animals that would inhabit "Zootopia" and discovered that not all fur is the same. A strand of polar bear fur is clear -- it's the light reflecting off of it that makes it appear white -- and a strand of fox fur is dark at the root, getting lighter through its red tip. Artists tried to replicate their findings to make the animals in "Zootopia" believable.

Some 'Zootopia' animals were inspired by old Disney films

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Assistant Mayor Bellwether was inspired by the lambs in the old Disney films "Make Mine Music" and "Melody Time."

Assitant Mayor Bellwether wears six different outfits

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Artists crafted six unique outfits for Assistant Mayor Bellwether. The chosen fabric, naturally, was wool. Her outfits include a houndstooth dress, a blazer and a little bell in honor of her name. She also has an orange dress with a scissor pattern that represents shears.

'The Lion King' inspired a 'Zootopia' character

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Mufasa from Disney's "The Lion King" inspired artists to create the look of Mayor Lionheart.

'Zootopia's' cheetah sports the animal's iconic tear marks

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Officer Clawhauser may not share a real cheetah's svelte shape, but he does sport the animal's iconic tear marks -- markings that run from the inside corners of his eyes down to the outside edges of his mouth.

No combs need apply

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In an effort to bolster the animal-feel, artists added bits of debris -- hay, leaves, sticks -- in the coats of animals like the big sheep and Yax the Yak.

Filmmakers took a trip to Africa to research the animals

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Nathan Warner, director of cinematography-layout, got up close and personal with a real-life cheetah during their research trip to Africa. The rescued animal that caretakers had introduced to the filmmakers seemingly took offense to the camera Warner carried and leapt up to let him know. Both filmmakers and cat were just fine following the event.

Smile for the camera

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When artists realized that real rabbits actually have a split upper lip, they decided to forego authenticity in this case and kept Judy's lip all together.

Filmmakers used special technology to trim the animal's fur

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Advances in technology allowed filmmakers to trim the fur that fell beneath
clothing so that the garments hung correctly. Previously, hairs that intersected with an item of clothing -- like Bolt's collar -- had to be plucked one by one, which would have been an impossible feat in a film like "Zootopia."